ENGAGEMENT PARTY

We have another family wedding coming up in the next couple of months.

Our youngest son is getting married

to his gorgeous fiancee in July! 

So it is beginning to be full steam wedding mode at our home these days!

This has made me realize

I haven't even shared the wonderful

Engagement Party

we threw for 

Hunter and Megan a few months back!

I believe a great start to a party is a 
fabulous invite!
It's an easy way to set a style and tone for the event!

The party was an evening event in the backyard.

I set up a lovely cake table inside
to greet our guests.

These  love spoons are a perfect cake topper
for an engagement cake 

They were an engagement present for the couple

from a dear friend!

I was so happy she gave them to me early!

I dressed up 
a simple cake with natural elements.

Ellis and I handmade
Hunter and Megan's

initials out of tubing and cotton strips 

to personalize the tablescape.

I used plenty of
 battery pack tiny lights

both inside an out that evening.

They are such a quick and inexpensive way to add

some fun drama and ambient lighting.

For party giveaways

we had white candles

that we simply finished off with 

twine and an eucalyptus leaf.

I loved the white, which says bridal

and 

there was eucalyptus used throughout

both inside and out.

We got these beauties at the dollar store.

Used in mass

and 

finished off

they far exceeded their price!

I found some great

 cotton napkins online

 for just about $1.00 a piece.

And the best part, they were already pressed and folded!!

The benefit of doing an event in your own backyard

is the time frame to set up.

I started rearranging my backyard days before the party.

For more seating I pulled my front courtyard furniture into the backyard.

I didn't even have to rent anything!

Another design element for 

the Engagement Party

were the
Mexican Wedding Banners

I ordered 12 packs

and 

used them throughout the party spaces

to tie all the spaces

inside and out together.

For the menu

we wanted to keep it fun and light

so we did 

tacos and margaritas!

We hired someone to come and make fresh tacos to order.

She brought a huge selection of top ingredients

with several meat or vegetarian choices.

She was set up in our front courtyard

so her setting up, and taking down her cooking station

never interrupted the party flow.

Our gorgeous engaged couple!

In the backyard I set up
a salsa and chip bar

for easy access for everyone.

For the appetizers we ordered
 bamboo plates and forks.

It was an informal party

so I left our tables unset

and

had votive candles with eucalyptus

for decor.

And how gorgeous are these two!

They have been together seven years already!

They met at summer camp

the year before high school!

I have loved Megan for years

always secretly hoping they would get married,

but never mentioning that fact

as I never wanted to put pressure on either one of them.

So I couldn't be happier that they are getting married

and 

becoming a member of our family!

And I am so happy that our two families will be joining together!

Megan's Mom gave me a card that said she thought

"god had chosen our families to come together"

I couldn't be happier at the joining of

the couple 

and 

our families.

These two might be on the young side

but they are old souls

with maturity beyond their years!

With such an ability 

to see the important parts in life already!

This Momma's heart is  pretty darn proud 

at the most wonderful 2 spouses

my son and daughter have found!

It's a truly joyful time

to see your family grow

with such love!

One of my favorite things to add to a party these days is 

a photo booth.

Time seems to go by so fast these days

especially at parties.

I really appreciate having loving memories 

of the People

at a party.

I added more of the 
Mexican bridal garland
 to my framed canvas backdrop

Another way to tie the party elements together

and 

create a beautiful backdrop.

We added  a large
 'bouquet' of pampas grass

for some bohemian flair.

For the night's festivities I chose to wear my

vintage 'Hostess Dress'

that I found in Palm Springs.

And it worked like a charm.

The dress spoke to the occasion with it's full embroidery front and back

and 

just as important

moved with such hostessing ease

I think it's a type of dress that need a resurgence!

And of course the occasion called for a Crown!

Here is our gorgeous 

Bride To Be

with her lovely sister and beautiful mother!

Megan's mother has raised two intelligent, strong, gorgeous young women

who also are athletes at the collegiate level!

Aren't Crowns just perfect for a photo booth!

The engaged couple with my parents and brother.

For those of you who have been following my blog for a while

can you believe these two will 

be celebrating their two year anniversary next month!

It seems like we were just planning our  darling daughter's wedding to her incredible husband!

Two of my dear friends that not only came to the party

but came early to help me light what felt like a hundred candles!

And they got their men to take this fabulous picture!!

See everyone can use a Crown!!

It ended up to be such 
a magical night all around!

And another chance for both side of family and friends

to come together to celebrate a 

very beloved couple!

And there were 
presents to be opened as well!

How darling was this gift's presentation!

Complete with a chalk board sign to count down the days until

these two say I do!

Wishing Hunter and Megan

a lifetime of love and happiness!

I am so excited for their wedding!!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life

You can read about Hunter's 
romantic beachside proposal HERE

If you're looking for more engagement inspiration
you can find 
Ellis's Engagement Party HERE